MULTAN, Jan 2: The Multan Institute of Nuclear Medicines and Radiotherapy (Minar) has launched a weekly 'Breast care clinic' to spread awareness about symptoms of breast cancer and treatment of patients suffering with the disease.

Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Minar's director Dr Durre Sabih said that a team of four senior doctors would examine the patients on every Wednesday at institute's OPD from 10am to 12 noon.

The team would comprise surgeon Dr Mustafa Kamal Pasha, physician Dr Salma Tanveer, oncologist Dr Nadeem Zia Abbasi and mammography expert Dr Zahida Sabih. Dr Sabih said the women would be examined free at the clinic while the institute would not charge fee from the deserving people for necessary diagnostic tests.

The cost of diagnostic tests for people who could afford was also negligible compared to the rates at private facilities. He said it would be Rs20 for the deserving people and Rs500 for others.

Minar's experts told reporters that the incidence of breast cancer had been increasing alarmingly especially among the urban women. They said one of the reasons causing cancer was the changing diet habits especially since the advent of fast foods, smoking and liquor under the influence of the western world.

The incidence of breast cancer in Japan was low before the introduction of American fast food chains there, they claimed. However, they said that the breast cancer was curable if diagnosed at an early stage.

SEMINAR: Khwaja Farid National seminar will be held at the Bahauddin Zakariya University auditorium on Jan 8 under the aegis of Khwaja Farid Foundation. As per foundation press release, Senate Chairman Muhammadmia Soomro, Federal Industries Minister Jehangir Tareen, State Minister for Youth Affairs Muhammad Ali Durrani and other notables will attend the seminar.

Dr Shahzad Qaiser, Dr Fateh Muhammad Malik, Dr Yousaf Khushak, Khwaja Tahir Koreja, Khwaja Ghulam Qutabuddin, Prof Javed Chandio, Dr Nasrullah Nasir, Dr Robina Tareen, Mujahid Jatoi, Prof Riffat Abbas, Aslam Rasoolpuri and Dr Ashulal will deliver lectures on Khwaja Farid. Later, a 'mehfil-i-kafi' will be held at the Multan Arts Council at 7pm. Country's famous kafi singers are likely to perform in the evening.